TV Viewers Not Rushing Back to Shows - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 09-30-2003, 12:54 AM

TV Viewers Not Rushing Back to Shows

By DAVID BAUDER

NEW YORK (AP) - Television viewers didn't exactly rush to their sets to catch up on old favorites during the first week of the new season.

The audience for NBC's "Friends" season premiere was down by 28 percent from last year's season opener. For CBS'"CSI: Miami," it was down 25 percent. "Frasier": down 31 percent. "NYPD Blue": down 22 percent. "ER": down 13 percent.

Even the nearly 27 million people who tuned into television's most popular show, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," represented a drop of 12 percent from last year's premiere, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Despite that, the broadcast networks rallied over the weekend to salvage an opening week that had begun ominously.

Overall, viewership for ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox was down 3 percent from opening week last year, down 7 percent among the prized 18-to-49-year-old demographic. Much of the decline can be tied to Fox, which has held off most of its premieres until after baseball season.

Making judgments after one week of viewing is dangerous, but if the trend for some of the most popular shows continues, it would be a cause for concern with the networks, said Steve Sternberg, a television analyst for the ad firm Magna Global.

"These shows are aging," said Marc Berman, an analyst for Media Week Online. "People are getting tired of them. And they're not finding new shows that are intriguing them."

NBC entertainment president Jeff Zucker said he was "thrilled" by the week since his network will win among viewers aged 18-to-49 - the only demographic it cares about - by its biggest margin in four years.

"All of our returning shows had fantastic weeks," Zucker said. "The West Wing," for example, had a bigger audience last week than at any point last season.

There are mitigating circumstances for some of the declines. "Friends" had a compelling cliffhanger going into last season - Joey's proposal to Rachel - and nothing as dramatic this season.

"CSI: Miami" had the curiosity factor of a series premiere last year. "NYPD Blue" is facing tougher competition in its Tuesday time slot from "Law & Order: SVU" and "Judging Amy," and "Frasier" must convince fans it can make a creative comeback from an off year.

ABC's viewership was up 8 percent over last year, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research figures.

Partly that was due to the curiosity factor following John Ritter's death that brought a big audience to "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" last week. And partly it was because ABC did so poorly last year it was hard to get much worse, analysts say.

But there were bright spots: "Hope & Faith," the new sitcom starring Kelly Ripa and Faith Ford, had a strong start as viewers seemed to welcome the return of ABC's family-oriented Friday night lineup.

CBS has a potential hit with the Friday spiritual drama, "Joan of Arcadia," and also did well with another forensics drama on Sunday, "Cold Case."

NBC's "Whoopi" has faded after a strong preseason start. NBC's "Coupling," CBS'"The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H." and ABC's "Threat Matrix" are new series that could be in trouble.

Sternberg said competition from cable networks is hurting the networks more than ever before. Over just the past two years, the number of channels available in an average home has jumped by more than two dozen to more than 100, he said.

"That is finally starting to have an impact where it hadn't over the past few years," he said.

Somewhat surprisingly, FX's critically praised series, "Nip/Tuck," scored its best ratings ever last Tuesday when competing against the season premieres of three broadcast dramas.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press.

Brian Damage · 09-30-2003, 09:46 AM

I think some viewers are still in summer mode. They'll all come back eventually.

tvroxxers · 09-30-2003, 10:33 AM

I blame cable, well, not blame, but that's why the ratings aren't as high. People aren't watching the big networks, instead focusing on USA and FX.

maybe once the 2003-2004 season gets into full swing the ratigns will increase.

barwars · 10-01-2003, 08:45 PM

I agree about summer mode, but not about coming back next season.

The biggest (and most overrated) sitcom is leaving this year (Friends), along with one of the greatest sitcoms(Frasier).

I think I heard Everybody Loves Raymond is ending also.

I think next season will be one of TV's worst. Ever.

barwars · 10-01-2003, 08:51 PM

Hope & Faith was UNBEARABLE. Possibly one of the worst shows ever, Kelly Ripa was terrible in it, she doesnt belong in comedy, either does Faith Ford.

Romeo and Hope & Faith, two of the worst shows Ive ever seen, and they were both in the same week!

Coupling was terrible as well.

TJL · 10-01-2003, 08:59 PM

You would think viewers would be tuning in to see the final episodes of long running faves like "Friends" or "Frasier."

Figuring out what viewers are going to watch week in and week out will be one thing the Networks will never be able to master.

Janice · 10-01-2003, 09:03 PM

I can only speak for myself, but I would never miss a season premiere of any of my shows.
I taped the CBS lineup on Monday...I'm taping King of Queens hour-long opener now...I couldn't wait for American Dreams this past Sunday. Last night it was Good Morning Miami and last Thursday it was Will & Grace.
When a show makes my list, I never miss a single episode. I tape them all and watch them commercial free.

barwars · 10-01-2003, 09:08 PM

I never miss any of my favorite shows as well.
I dont tape them all.

But I do have a tape with some of the John Ritter Specials, and this season's 8 Simple Rules episodes with him.

And, I have to tape According To Jim, while I watch Frasier (which if I may add, had the FUNNIEST episode in TV history last night).

Penny Lane · 10-02-2003, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tvroxxers
I blame cable, well, not blame, but that's why the ratings aren't as high. People aren't watching the big networks, instead focusing on USA and FX.

maybe once the 2003-2004 season gets into full swing the ratigns will increase.

I never watch network tv anymore! The last series that I watched was Roseanne. That's how long it has been!

David · 10-02-2003, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars88
Hope & Faith was UNBEARABLE. Possibly one of the worst shows ever, Kelly Ripa was terrible in it, she doesnt belong in comedy, either does Faith Ford.

Romeo and Hope & Faith, two of the worst shows Ive ever seen, and they were both in the same week!

Coupling was terrible as well.

i liked Hope and Faith n Coupling.

Anyways, I think that with Friends, last time they had a stronger cliffhanger

Central Perk · 10-02-2003, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
You would think viewers would be tuning in to see the final episodes of long running faves like "Friends" or "Frasier."

I think that there will be more viewers for Friends and Frasier towards the end of the season because I bet viewers care more about the final episodes and not the season premieres.

ClassicComedyFan2 · 10-03-2003, 09:58 AM

I know I came back to "Frasier" and "Star Trek: Enterprise" quickly. I also watched the season premiere of "America's Funniest Home Videos." But, also, I came back for cartoons like "Pokemon" (now in its sixth season!) and "Jackie Chan Adventures". So, there were some shows I came back to!

LILFACE23 · 10-03-2003, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars88
Hope & Faith was UNBEARABLE. Possibly one of the worst shows ever, Kelly Ripa was terrible in it, she doesnt belong in comedy, either does Faith Ford.

Romeo and Hope & Faith, two of the worst shows Ive ever seen, and they were both in the same week!

Coupling was terrible as well.

I agree totally with both shows.

Dianne3 · 10-03-2003, 01:36 PM

My feelings on Hope&Faith are mixed.

I really want the show to succeed, because of Joanna Johnson, who created the show. I was of fan of Joanna Johnson's when she was on the soap "The Bold and the Beautiful".

I found the show so-so. Not as bad as some people are making it out to be, but not as good as others on the Hope&Faith board are making it out to be.

I didn't like the food fight scene.

09-30-2003, 12:54 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	TV Viewers Not Rushing Back to Shows TV Viewers Not Rushing Back to Shows By DAVID BAUDER NEW YORK (AP) - Television viewers didn't exactly rush to their sets to catch up on old favorites during the first week of the new season. The audience for NBC's "Friends" season premiere was down by 28 percent from last year's season opener. For CBS'"CSI: Miami," it was down 25 percent. "Frasier": down 31 percent. "NYPD Blue": down 22 percent. "ER": down 13 percent. Even the nearly 27 million people who tuned into television's most popular show, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," represented a drop of 12 percent from last year's premiere, according to Nielsen Media Research. Despite that, the broadcast networks rallied over the weekend to salvage an opening week that had begun ominously. Overall, viewership for ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox was down 3 percent from opening week last year, down 7 percent among the prized 18-to-49-year-old demographic. Much of the decline can be tied to Fox, which has held off most of its premieres until after baseball season. Making judgments after one week of viewing is dangerous, but if the trend for some of the most popular shows continues, it would be a cause for concern with the networks, said Steve Sternberg, a television analyst for the ad firm Magna Global. "These shows are aging," said Marc Berman, an analyst for Media Week Online. "People are getting tired of them. And they're not finding new shows that are intriguing them." NBC entertainment president Jeff Zucker said he was "thrilled" by the week since his network will win among viewers aged 18-to-49 - the only demographic it cares about - by its biggest margin in four years. "All of our returning shows had fantastic weeks," Zucker said. "The West Wing," for example, had a bigger audience last week than at any point last season. There are mitigating circumstances for some of the declines. "Friends" had a compelling cliffhanger going into last season - Joey's proposal to Rachel - and nothing as dramatic this season. "CSI: Miami" had the curiosity factor of a series premiere last year. "NYPD Blue" is facing tougher competition in its Tuesday time slot from "Law & Order: SVU" and "Judging Amy," and "Frasier" must convince fans it can make a creative comeback from an off year. ABC's viewership was up 8 percent over last year, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research figures. Partly that was due to the curiosity factor following John Ritter's death that brought a big audience to "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" last week. And partly it was because ABC did so poorly last year it was hard to get much worse, analysts say. But there were bright spots: "Hope & Faith," the new sitcom starring Kelly Ripa and Faith Ford, had a strong start as viewers seemed to welcome the return of ABC's family-oriented Friday night lineup. CBS has a potential hit with the Friday spiritual drama, "Joan of Arcadia," and also did well with another forensics drama on Sunday, "Cold Case." NBC's "Whoopi" has faded after a strong preseason start. NBC's "Coupling," CBS'"The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H." and ABC's "Threat Matrix" are new series that could be in trouble. Sternberg said competition from cable networks is hurting the networks more than ever before. Over just the past two years, the number of channels available in an average home has jumped by more than two dozen to more than 100, he said. "That is finally starting to have an impact where it hadn't over the past few years," he said. Somewhat surprisingly, FX's critically praised series, "Nip/Tuck," scored its best ratings ever last Tuesday when competing against the season premieres of three broadcast dramas. Copyright 2003 Associated Press.

09-30-2003, 10:33 AM	#3
tvroxxers Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 11, 2003 Posts: 26	I blame cable, well, not blame, but that's why the ratings aren't as high. People aren't watching the big networks, instead focusing on USA and FX. maybe once the 2003-2004 season gets into full swing the ratigns will increase.
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10-01-2003, 08:59 PM	#6
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	You would think viewers would be tuning in to see the final episodes of long running faves like "Friends" or "Frasier." Figuring out what viewers are going to watch week in and week out will be one thing the Networks will never be able to master.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

10-03-2003, 09:58 AM	#12
ClassicComedyFan2 Coolicious! Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 28, 2001 Location: AL, United States, Alpha Quadrant Posts: 698	I know I came back to "Frasier" and "Star Trek: Enterprise" quickly. I also watched the season premiere of "America's Funniest Home Videos." But, also, I came back for cartoons like "Pokemon" (now in its sixth season!) and "Jackie Chan Adventures". So, there were some shows I came back to!
	__________________ The world always looks brighter from behind a smile. ~Author Unknown Optimism is the foundation of courage. ~Nicholas Murray Butler Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. ~ John Cassis ~

09-30-2003, 09:46 AM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	I think some viewers are still in summer mode. They'll all come back eventually.

10-01-2003, 08:45 PM	#4
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	I agree about summer mode, but not about coming back next season. The biggest (and most overrated) sitcom is leaving this year (Friends), along with one of the greatest sitcoms(Frasier). I think I heard Everybody Loves Raymond is ending also. I think next season will be one of TV's worst. Ever.

10-01-2003, 08:51 PM	#5
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Hope & Faith was UNBEARABLE. Possibly one of the worst shows ever, Kelly Ripa was terrible in it, she doesnt belong in comedy, either does Faith Ford. Romeo and Hope & Faith, two of the worst shows Ive ever seen, and they were both in the same week! Coupling was terrible as well.

10-01-2003, 09:03 PM	#7
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I can only speak for myself, but I would never miss a season premiere of any of my shows. I taped the CBS lineup on Monday...I'm taping King of Queens hour-long opener now...I couldn't wait for American Dreams this past Sunday. Last night it was Good Morning Miami and last Thursday it was Will & Grace. When a show makes my list, I never miss a single episode. I tape them all and watch them commercial free.

10-01-2003, 09:08 PM	#8
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	I never miss any of my favorite shows as well. I dont tape them all. But I do have a tape with some of the John Ritter Specials, and this season's 8 Simple Rules episodes with him. And, I have to tape According To Jim, while I watch Frasier (which if I may add, had the FUNNIEST episode in TV history last night).

10-03-2003, 01:36 PM	#14
Dianne3 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2002 Posts: 1,056	My feelings on Hope&Faith are mixed. I really want the show to succeed, because of Joanna Johnson, who created the show. I was of fan of Joanna Johnson's when she was on the soap "The Bold and the Beautiful". I found the show so-so. Not as bad as some people are making it out to be, but not as good as others on the Hope&Faith board are making it out to be. I didn't like the food fight scene.